Summer Community Connections Learning Lab dates announced

You will learn how to reach critical Minneapolis communities in a free series of learning labs about inclusive and effective community engagement. This is also a good opportunity to meet other staff and organizations doing engagement.

Labs will run from 9-10:30 a.m. at various locations in the community from May 30 to July 25. A series of upcoming fall labs will have both day and evening sessions.

Join the Neighborhood & Community Engagement Commission

The NCEC advises the mayor and City Council, recommends improvements to the City’s community engagement process, develops guidelines for the Community Participation Program, a neighborhood funding program, works to increase diversity on other advisory boards, and reviews the business plan for the Neighborhood and Community Relations Department.

Minneapolis improves access for residents with low vision in four locations with navigation app

Minneapolis is now using an app that helps people who are blind or have low vision get around Nicollet Mall, City Hall, Target Center and the Minneapolis Convention Center.

The Aira app connects users with agents who are trained professional guides. The agents access the user’s smartphone camera (or Aira glasses) for a live video feed combined with GPS and maps so they can describe these public spaces and help users maneuver through them and also more richly experience what they have to offer.

Minneapolis has made the four “geo-fenced” locations available on the Aira app for free. Aira is available on any iOS or Android phone by downloading the mobile app and registering. As soon as users enter an Aira access location, they will receive a notification and can use Aira for free anytime while in the Aira access location.).

A nuisance violation is an exterior housing code violation. Housing Inspections Services staff look for nuisance violations throughout the year, but they are most common in the spring, summer, and fall. Preventing nuisance violations keeps neighborhoods safe, livable and attractive.

Typically, when a violation is found, property owners are given about a week to resolve issues before contractors are sent to complete the work for a fee charged to the property. If you have questions about a letter regarding nuisance violations on your property, call 311.

Nokomis East Neighborhood Association recognized at Local Public Health Hero Awards

On April 17, 2019 the Minneapolis Health Department recognized the Nokomis East Neighborhood Association (NENA) as a Local Public Health Hero in the category of promoting healthy weight and smoke-free living. Becky Timm, Executive Director, and several other staff and board members attended and accepted the award.

NENA engaged underrepresented residents, including low-income households, renters and people of color, and increased the availability of healthy foods and smoke-free housing for Bossen area residents. NENA has shown committment to building residents’ capacity to advocate for change.

NENA surveyed residents to assess their needs and interests, which led to a partnership with the Twin Cities Mobile Market to launch a new market stop in the area. They also advocated for a local ordinance change to improve the Mobile Market’s ability to reach customers.

Please join us in congratulating NENA for this recognition and thanking them for their important work improving the health and well being of Minneapolis residents.

2018 Annual Report highlights neighborhood organization successes

On May 6, NCR Director David Rubedor presented the 2018 Neighborhood Programs Annual Report to the City Council’s PECE Committee. This report aggregates 2018 information that NCR received from neighborhood organizations that receive Neighborhood Revitalization Program or Community Participation Program funding, and includes both neighborhood highlights and aggregated data. The report is available online and a hard copy will be mailed to each neighborhood organization. Additional copies are available upon request. Read more about neighborhood reports...

We Count appears on Mi Ciudad radio show to raise awareness about the 2020 census

On April 30, 2019 Census Project Coordinator Alberder Gillespie joined NCR Community Specialist Mariano Espinoza and community partner Monica Hurtado of Voices for Racial Justice on the Mi Ciudad show on the Spanish language radio station La Raza. Guests talked to callers about the 2020 census, the potential addition of a citizenship question, community concerns and the importance of everyone completing the census without fear.

Mi Ciudad is a City of Minneapolis radio show on La Raza hosted by NCR staff to discuss City issues of interest to the Spanish-speaking community, one of four radio shows that broadcast City news in Minneapolis's most widely-spoken languages.

You can listen to Mi Ciudad on La Raza 95.7 FM, 1400 and 1470 AM on every other Tuesday from 3-4 p.m. or online at Laraza1400.com.

“Minneapolis 360” is every second & fourth Wednesday from 1:30-2 p.m. on KMOJ 89.9 FM and can be streamed at kmojfm.com.

Magaaladayda Minneapolis is broadcast on Somali American Radio, KALY-LP 101.7 FM every second Thursday from 2-3 p.m. You can listen online at Kalyradio.org.

Field Regina Northrop annual celebration Saturday, June 1

Field Regina Northrop Neighborhood Group (FRNNG) is hosting its 29th-annual neighborhood celebration on June 1 (rain date Saturday, June 8.) from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at McRae Park at 906 East 47th Street.This annual celebration is an opportunity to show appreciation for the neighborhood, get better acquainted with neighbors, build community, and have fun.

There will be family-friendly activities, including entertainment, exhibits, food trucks, bike giveaways from Nokomis Cycle and a raffle for a TV. Look for the latest information on www.frnng.org, FRNNG's Facebook and Twitter.

Jordan Week of Kindness

Jordan Area Community Council (JACC) has partnered with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity for the 4th year in a row to host the Jordan Week of Kindness. The neighborhood celebration is on June 1 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Russell Ave. N. between 26th & 29th Ave. and will include activities for kids, free food, a resource fair, free giveaways, a tour of a Habitat for Humanity home and local performers.

The Jordan Week of Kindness began in 2016, last year welcoming over 150 people from the community. Each year, prior to the block celebration, JACC engages neighbors in a community beautification project. In past years, this has been block cleanups, planting in raised flower beds and planting flowers in hanging baskets. Read more about Jordan Area Community Council...

Doors Open Minneapolis starts May 18

Doors Open Minneapolis is a collaboration between the City of Minneapolis and the American Institute of Architects (AIA-MPLS), sponsored by the Minneapolis Foundation and several businesses. Doors Open is an opportunity for the public to enjoy free access to over 110 buildings throughout Minneapolis that tell the story of this great city.

Give your feedback on infrastructure priorities

Proposals to build and renovate streets, buildings, bridges, park facilities and other parts of Minneapolis’ infrastructure over the next five years are collected and prioritized every year. The committee that does this work, the Capital Long-Range Improvement Committee, wants to hear from you about your priorities. You can share your thoughts at one of two upcoming input sessions.

People can also speak in favor of or against proposed projects or suggest other ideas by attending the official joint public hearing at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 16, City Hall, Room 319. View the proposed projects at the tab for 2020-2024 Capital Budget Requests.

City Council reaffirms commitment to fighting all forms of human trafficking

The City Council passed a resolution reaffirming the City’s commitment to combating commercial sexual exploitation, labor exploitation and all forms of human trafficking.

The resolution notes that “people who are living in poverty, experiencing homelessness, facing chemical dependency, overcoming mental health issues, and who identify as a member of the LGBTQ+ and/or undocumented immigrant community are more likely to become the targets of exploitation and trafficking.”

Minneapolis is one of three cities in the country participating in the Pathways to Freedom city challenge led by Humanity United and the NoVo Foundation, which provides funding for the development of a coordinated, citywide response to trafficking and exploitation. For more information about the City’s efforts to fight and prevent trafficking, visit minneapolismn.gov/trafficking.

Spring street sweeping has begun, avoid a ticket and tow

Public Works crews have started the City’s comprehensive street sweeping program to clear away what accumulated in the streets over the winter. The City began sweeping Tuesday, April 16. Drivers should watch for temporary “No Parking” signs to avoid a ticket and tow.

Drivers must follow street sweeping parking rules or they may have their cars ticketed and towed to the Minneapolis Impound Lot.

Minneapolis Connects is published by the City of Minneapolis Neighborhood and Community Relations department (NCR). If you have stories or community events that should be included in next month's edition, email rebekah.tedrick-moutz@minneapolismn.gov.

For questions, accommodations or alternative formats, please contact Neighborhood and Community Relations at 612-673-3737 or email us at ncr@minneapolismn.gov. People who are deaf or hard of hearing can use a relay service to call 311 agents at 612-673-3000. TTY users can call 612-673-2157 or 612-673-2626.